Welcome to the June edition of the Water Polo NSW Newsletter! From NSW State Squad announcements and Australian Country Championship success to expanding pathways and growing participation, there's plenty to celebrate across our water polo community. |
We are thrilled to announce the athletes selected in our NSW State Squads!
These athletes represent the best of NSW water polo — and their selection is a testament to their hard work, dedication and the strength of our state's performance pathway. We can't wait to see what these squads achieve together.
read more >
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| Expansion of Development Academy Program |
Following the success of the 2025 WPNSW Development Academy, we are pleased to launch the expanded 2026 Development Academy Program.
The Program will now incorporate U13, U14, U15 and U16 boys and girls, expanding from U14 and U16 boys and girls from the 2025 Academy.
The Academy continues to focus on athlete development, connection, and growth within the Water Polo NSW pathway, providing an environment where metro and regional athletes train together, learn from experienced staff and develop the technical, tactical, and physical foundations required for long-term success.
A list of all of the selected athletes is on our website. Congratulations to all athletes selected!
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| Australian Country Championships |
From 6-9 May NSW teams attended the Australian Country Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.
Our NSW Men claimed gold and our NSW Women put in a tremendous performance to take home silver — two results that the whole state can be proud of.
Congratulations to every player, coach and official who made the trip to Ballarat and represented NSW with such pride and commitment. A huge thank you also to our NSW referees who made the journey — your dedication to the game is greatly appreciated.
A special congratulations to the athletes selected in the Tournament 7 team — an outstanding achievement and well-deserved recognition for your performances throughout the championships.
Women's
Ryleigh Hogan
Men's
Joseph McMullen
Hunter Wright
Joshua Gould
Lachlan Walter |
In March it was announced that eight NSW clubs were successful in receiving funding through the NSW Government's Local Sport Grants Program, delivered by the Office of Sport.
We caught up with Nash Clark, President of Pool Pirates, to see how the funding will be used and make a difference to the club. Read more here.
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| Nick Hodgers and Ash Kaesler Appointed to 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals |
Water Polo NSW is proud to congratulate Nick Hodgers and Ash Kaesler on their appointments as referees for the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals in Sydney from 22–26 July.
Nick, Olympic Referee, Life Member and former President, and Ash, who began her refereeing career in NSW, showcase the strength of our officiating pathways and the excellence of NSW referees – even on the world stage.  
Their appointments are a proud moment for our community and an inspiration for the next generation of officials.  read more > |
Fast Five Competitions – Round 2
The second round of the Fast Five Competitions will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026.
The Fast Five format continues to generate strong interest across the community, providing an exciting and fast-paced competition opportunity for athletes, clubs, and supporters. Further information regarding venues, fixtures, and match schedules will be released closer to the event.
Winter Competitions Underway
Water Polo NSW's winter competitions are now in full swing, with both the Junior Metro Competition and Metro Division 2 Competition underway across the state.
We would like to wish all players, coaches, referees, team managers and volunteers the very best for the season ahead. We look forward to seeing plenty of great water polo, development opportunities and club spirit throughout the winter competition season.
Participation Growth
Water Polo NSW has seen a significant increase in team entries across both Metro and Regional competitions for the 2026 season.
This continued growth reflects the increasing interest and engagement in the sport across New South Wales, with more athletes, clubs, and communities participating in competitions at all levels. The rise in entries is a positive sign for the ongoing development of water polo throughout the state. |
State Championships 2027 — Save the Date
We are pleased to announce the dates and divisions for the upcoming State Championships 2027, set to deliver an exciting 9 days of water polo at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
📅 Saturday 9 – Sunday 17 January 2027
📍 Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
🏊 Week 1 — 9–13 January | U14
🏊 Week 1 — 9–12 January | U18
🏊 Week 2 — 14–17 January | U16
🏊 Week 2 — 16–17 January | U12
Please note that the U22 divisions will be conducted as a standalone event. Further details will be shared once confirmed.
read more >
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Play By The Rules Templates 
Play by the Rules provides template policies for topics like diversity, equity and inclusion, team selections and codes of behaviour for people in key club or association roles.
The template policies and codes provided here are designed to compliment the integrity policies of your club, including the relevant Member Protection Policy and Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
More information can be found here. |
Strategic Plan Workshop Series
We're excited to announce a comprehensive online workshop series designed to assist Clubs & Associations with designing their own Strategic Plan.
Build your club’s own strategic plan with support from WPNSW.
 Dates: 17 June, 24 June & 1 July  Time: 7:30 PM  Location: Online Webinar
The FREE workshop series is also open to all club members — committees, coaches, volunteers and future leaders!
Get involved by registering here |
Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks
We’re so proud to celebrate our incredible players named in the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks squad for 2026:
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Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks Squad
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Laurence Barker
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Drummoyne
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Matthew Byrnes
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UNSW Wests
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Nic Constantin-Bicari
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UNSW Wests
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Tristan Glanznig
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Cronulla
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Andrej Grgurevic
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Sydney Uni
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Luka Krstic
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Sydney Uni
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Angus Lambie
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UNSW Wests
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Milos Maksimovic
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Cronulla
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Jacob Mercep
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Sydney Uni
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Charlie Negus
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UNSW Wests
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Nathan Power
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UNSW Wests
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Tim Putt
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UNSW Wests
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Loui Schuler
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Sydney Uni
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National Development Squad
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Ashton Brown
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Sydney Uni
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Sam Hughes
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UTS Balmain
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Zachary Izzard
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Sydney Uni
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Sam Keightley
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UTS Balmain
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Drew McJannett
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UNSW Wests
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Oliver Purcell
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UTS Balmain
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Noah Rowe
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UNSW Wests
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Harper Stewart
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UNSW Wests
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Savo Todic
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UNSW Wests
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Matt Wilson
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Drummoyne
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Alex Woolfe
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SNB/Drummoyne
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A huge thank you to the local clubs who played a vital role in supporting and developing these athletes along the way. |
World Cup Finals
Tickets for the 2026 Water Polo World Cup are on sale now!
Watch the Ord Minnett Stingers and Sharks poolside from 22-26 July at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Tickets are available here. |
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If your not-for-profit organisation has a project that improves wellbeing, inclusion, safety, education or the environment, you could be eligible for a IMB Bank Community Foundation grant.
For more information and how to apply, visit their website. |
National Volunteer Week
From 18-24 May we celebrated our volunteers for the hours of hard work they put in to help water polo across the state.
Visit our social media as we speak to Clare Fletcher from Sydney Stingers, Tammy Ryan from Coffs Harbour and Karla Roberts from Central West about their role within their club and why they volunteer. |
Volunteer Spotlight | Meet Clare Fletcher | Sydney Stingers Water Polo read more >
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Volunteer Spotlight | Meet Tammy Ryan | Coffs Harbour Water Polo read more >
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Volunteer Spotlight | Meet Karla Roberts | Central West Water Polo read more >
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Follow us on social media!
#waterpolonsw
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